Khairy Jamaludin: Umno Youth Against Sports Betting Licence !

The sports gambling betting licence issue has indeed brought forth much debate and diverse views.

UMNO Youth seems clearly against the issuance of the licence as is evident from the UMNO Youth Chief’s website. YB Khairy Jamaludin essentially cites three concerns of UMNO Youth and in brief, they are as follows (as I understand):

1. That the issuance of the betting licence is not well received by the majority of Malaysians, irrespective of race. The Muslims too are not convinced that there exists guarantees that some Muslims will not be involved in this form of gambling. Further, many Non-Muslims too are against it especially since there are some quarters who claim that gambling is part of the Non-Muslim culture.

2. The argument that since there is already illegal gambling, therefore, it is better to legalise it does not hold water. The more reasonable and practical approach will be to strengthen the enforcement against illegal gaming in the country. That such enforcement against illegal gaming should be consistent through the year and not seasonal.

3. Questions arise as to why Ascot should prematurely announce that they have been given the license when the Government has yet to make a decision.

You may read the entire statement here.

UMNO Supreme Council member and Deputy Minister of Education, YB Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi is also against sports betting. He feels that the culture of gambling in the country should be reversed. You may read further here. His post in his facebook inviting comments and feedback on the sports betting issue had attracted many feedbacks – almost all against the sports betting and other forms of gambling.

The StarOnline reports that “Former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has backed legal sports betting saying that it will help regulate gambling among non-Muslims”.


Sun2Surf reports as follows: “Legalised sports betting is "not a problem" in Malaysian society, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim said today”. It further reports: “Rais urged everyone, including politicians and public to view the issue in the perspective of respecting the rights of non-Muslims”.

What is your view?

Peace !